TOWNSEND -- The matter of requesting a draft lease from the
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, for a feasibility study for a Rail Trail in
Townsend was put on hold until a full Board of Selectmen is present for a vote.

Chairman Daniel Murphy was not at Tuesday's meeting.

Selectmen Robert Plamondon and Peter Collins split the vote to do the
request. Plamondon motioned to request the lease, and Collins voted no.

Requesting the draft lease "would put the town under no
obligation," said Plamondon.

"It would just allow the feasibility study to move forward to collect
more information," he said.

Collins said he is not in favor of a Rail Trail, as it would disrupt the
plant and wildlife in the proposed area.

The original proposal was scaled down from 9.4 miles to 2.5 miles by the
Squannacook River Rail Trail Feasibility Study Committee. The new trail proposal
would have the trail go from the Townsend/Groton line, or Harbor Village to
Depot Road in the center of town.

Study committee member Steve Meehan asked the town to consider requesting the
draft lease, so the study can continue.

"We should look to have balance and what is best for the town," he
said. "The issue of a rail trail will continue to keep coming up. We need
to continue with the study to get the facts out. Then, the facts will either
kill the entire project, or just let the facts get out, and let the people of
the town decide."

Resident Joseph Shank spoke against having the study move ahead.

"I'm not for or against it being through town," he said. "I
think maybe they should look to put it somewhere else. There are people that are
going to lose their privacy. Also it will violate our river and river bed. To me
if there is no consensus on the board, there is no sense going forward."

Plamondon said, "I have concerns about the rail bed, but I think it
should ultimately be decided by the voters on a non-binding referendum question.
People may be afraid to speak at a town meeting, so it should be decided in the
ballot box."

The draft lease would allow the study committee to begin the process of
researching funding for design, construction and maintenance costs.

"We have taken this as far as we can on our own," Meehan said.
"We now need a draft lease to continue."